Charles Spurgeon, a favorite of many and one who has shaped our husbands ministries, “devoted himself to the one overwhelming task, the declaration of the life transforming message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”* He was joined in this calling by his “wifey”, as he affectionately called her, who likewise devoted herself to his good. Proverbs 12:4 says “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” and truly we see this crown in Susannah Spurgeon. Here are a few ways she crowned her husband and did him good which serve as reminders as we learn from this dear woman. The crown of devoted love. In Susannah’s own words we have a record of her passion to love and serve Charles. “...my whole time and strength were given to advance my dear husband’s welfare and happiness. I deemed it my joy and privilege to be ever at his side, accompanying him on many of his preceding journeys, nurse his occasional illnesses, his delighted companion during his holiday trips, always watching over and tending him with the enthusiasm and sympathy which my great love for him inspired.” What precious “husband-loving”, as Titus 2 tells us, is here as an example to emulate! The crown of suffering with joy. Every pastor’s wife (and every Christian), will be called to endure suffering as she grows in likeness to Jesus. Susannah, though blessed with a godly husband and in many other ways, suffered greatly yet with joy. Again, in her own words we have a glimpse of her heart toward her Savior and toward her husband: “Dark days those were for both husband and wife, for a serious disease had invaded my frame and little alleviation could be found from the constant wearying pain it caused. My beloved husband, always so fully engaged about his Master’s business, yet managed to secure many precious moments by my side, when he would tell me how the work of the Lord was prospering in his hands, and we would exchange sympathies, he comforting me in my suffering, and I cheering him on in his labors.”** No hint of self-pity here, just trust and rest in the Master and how He chose to ordain their lives. This is convicting to me to rest in God’s design for my circumstances. May I cheer my husband on in his labors despite any pain I may meet with! The crown of faithful labors. Though Susannah was a semi-invalid for much of her adult life, she found ways to be fruitful and faithful in serving alongside her husband. Most important were her labors as a mother. “Mrs. Spurgeon was a faithful trainer of her twin sons in the Christian doctrine, and she had the joy of seeing them both brought to the Lord at an early age.” And in the words of her son, Thomas, “I trace my early conversion directly to her constant pleading and bright example. My dear brother...gladly owns that mother’s influence and teaching had their part in the matter of his conversion.”*** After loving and serving our husband, motherhood is our most significant labor as we serve the Lord. I love the picture of “her bright example”! Secondly, Susannah labored tirelessly and sacrificially through the Book Fund, a ministry she initiated to get her husband’s books in to the hands of poor preachers to aid them in the preaching of the gospel. “Mrs. Spurgeon’s name deserves to live forever in the annals of the Christian church in connection with her fund for supplying theological books to clergymen and ministers too poor to buy them. As a branch of Christian effort this work was, and is, quite unique, and it’s vast importance and necessity to the ministry of the church at large, cannot be overestimated.”**** In a world without computers and internet access, Susannah joined her husband’s passion for the gospel by sending these resources to pastor’s far and wide, 25,000 or more from various denominations and missionaries scattered throughout the world. This work involved daily hours of correspondence and administration, not to mention joyful financial sacrifices for years on end. I am so inspired! Especially in a season of life when I have more time and resources, Susannah’s example provokes me to love my husband, to suffer with joy and to labor hard in the service of my King! We hope that you have been encouraged and equipped through this “She Does Him Good” series. As our husband’s crown, may we all be freshly provoked to glorify God in this sacred calling! *Spurgeon by Arnold Dalimore (Introduction, pg.xv) **Mrs. C.H. Spurgeon by Charles Ray (pgs. 47-48)
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